April Surac is a teen innovator from Florida whose work focuses on building accessible, technology-driven solutions for students with learning differences and individuals with sensory challenges. April created Bookoli, an EdTech platform that uses artificial intelligence to diagnose dyslexia and related reading difficulties, with the goal of improving literacy rates and long-term academic retention. The platform has been tested with over 150 users and is currently partnered with 10 schools across Florida. Bookoli earned early-stage funding through a $1,000 grant from Microsoft for Startups and continues to grow through school pilots and educator feedback.
Additionally, April leads NeuraSensa, a neurotechnology and sensory design initiative she founded in 2024 to create interactive textile-based installations for individuals with autism, Alzheimer’s, and sensory processing challenges. She spends 25 to 40 hours each month designing and curating sensory-responsive pieces that blend materials, technology, and art to support cognitive engagement and emotional well-being, reaching over 10,000 attendees through public exhibitions and outreach.
Reach out to April: avrilsurac@gmail.com
About the host: Nirbhuy Arun is a 10-year-old Gifted Davidson’s Young Scholar, a MENSAn who lives in Richland, Washington, USA. He is interested in solving complex problems and has a deep passion in understanding the role of AI in medicine. He loves to work on embedded systems and spends his time researching math and loves to explore maps.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.